October 19, 2026 4:48 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
October 19, 2026 4:48 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
According to KOLD News 13, ongoing debates over how Colorado River water should be allocated could have major consequences for Arizona farmers. Agriculture relies heavily on Colorado River water, particularly through deliveries from the Central Arizona Project.
If deeper cuts are implemented under new federal operating guidelines, many agricultural operations could face significant reductions in available water. Farmers and water managers are closely watching negotiations as federal officials work to finalize new management rules for the river after 2026.
For CRIT, these discussions are important because agriculture remains one of the largest users of Colorado River water. Decisions about water allocations across the basin could influence farming operations, economic stability, and long-term water planning throughout the region.
According to the Los Angeles Times, officials from Arizona, California, and Nevada are urging the federal government to reconsider parts of its draft plan for managing Colorado River water shortages.
Leaders from the Lower Basin states say the proposal could shift too much responsibility for water reductions onto their states, even though they have already implemented conservation measures in recent years. The request highlights ongoing tensions between the Upper Basin and Lower Basin states as the federal government works toward new operating rules.
For CRIT and other Tribal Nations along the river, the outcome of these negotiations will shape how water shortages are shared across the basin and how the Colorado River is managed in the future.
According to KJZZ, a new agreement involving Arizona and Mexico could move forward plans to produce desalinated ocean water that could eventually supplement Colorado River supplies.
The concept would involve building desalination facilities along the Gulf of California and transporting treated water inland. While the project would require major infrastructure and investment, supporters say it could help reduce reliance on the Colorado River during prolonged drought conditions.
For CRIT, proposals like this reflect how states are exploring alternative water sources as pressure on the Colorado River increases and long-term supply challenges continue.
According to KJZZ, Arizona water officials are pushing back against a draft federal proposal that would guide how the Colorado River is managed after 2026. Leaders from Arizona’s water agencies say the proposal could unfairly shift more water reductions onto Lower Basin states like Arizona.
The plan is part of the Bureau of Reclamation’s process to create new operating rules for Lake Mead and Lake Powell as the river continues to face long-term drought and declining flows. Arizona officials argue the draft proposal does not adequately account for previous conservation efforts already made by Lower Basin states.
For CRIT and other Tribal Nations along the Colorado River, these negotiations are critical because the final federal plan will shape how water shortages are shared and how the river system is managed in the decades ahead.
According to the Colorado Sun, water experts are exploring a “conservation pool” concept that could help stabilize water levels in the Colorado River’s major reservoirs. The idea would create a reserve of water stored specifically to protect Lake Mead and Lake Powell from dropping to critically low levels.
Under the proposal, water users across the basin would contribute conserved water that could be held in reserve and used during severe shortages. Supporters say the concept could provide more flexibility in managing the river during drought conditions.
For CRIT and other Colorado River communities, ideas like this illustrate the kinds of creative management strategies being discussed as officials work to protect the long-term reliability of the river system.
Source:
https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/04/conservation-pool-path-forward-colorado-river/
According to the Imperial Valley Press, California water officials are warning that the federal government’s proposed Colorado River management plan could conflict with the Colorado River Compact and other long-standing water agreements.
State officials say parts of the draft plan could undermine legal water rights that have governed the river for more than a century. The warning highlights growing tension among the basin states as they struggle to reach consensus on how to manage declining river supplies.
For CRIT, discussions about the Law of the River, compacts, and federal authority are especially important because Tribal Nations hold legally recognized water rights that must be considered in future river management decisions.
According to KTAR News, decisions being made about the future management of the Colorado River will have major consequences for Arizona’s water supply. State leaders say upcoming federal decisions on post-2026 river operations could determine how much water Arizona receives during future shortages.
The Colorado River supplies water to millions of people across the Southwest and supports agriculture, cities, and power generation. As negotiations among the seven basin states remain unresolved, federal officials may ultimately have to determine how water reductions are shared.
For CRIT and other Tribal Nations along the Colorado River, these decisions are especially important because new operating rules will guide how the river is managed for decades and could influence water deliveries, infrastructure planning, and long-term water security.
According to 9News Denver, the seven Colorado River Basin states have missed key deadlines to reach a new agreement on how to manage the shrinking river. With negotiations stalled, the federal government may ultimately step in and set new operating rules.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has been working with the states to develop guidelines for managing Lake Mead and Lake Powell after 2026, when current shortage agreements expire. Without consensus among the states, federal officials could impose a plan to prevent reservoir levels from dropping to dangerously low levels.
For CRIT, federal involvement in Colorado River operations is significant because Tribal Nations are key stakeholders in the river system. Decisions made during this process could affect water allocations, infrastructure planning, and the long-term stability of the river that supports communities across the basin.
According to 12News (KPNX), Arizona leaders say the state is approaching a critical moment as Colorado River negotiations continue and water cutbacks remain likely. Officials described the situation as a crossroads, warning that the next few years will require difficult decisions about conservation, water use, and long-term planning.
The looming reductions stem from ongoing negotiations over post-2026 operating rules for the Colorado River, which will determine how water shortages are shared among the seven basin states. Arizona has already taken significant reductions under earlier shortage agreements, and additional cuts could affect cities, agriculture, and water providers across the state.
For CRIT and other Tribal Nations along the river, these discussions are important because future operating guidelines will shape how the Colorado River is managed for decades. Tribal water rights, infrastructure investments, and long-term planning will all be influenced by how states and the federal government resolve these negotiations.
According to the Arizona Republic, scientists say the western United States may not simply be experiencing a drought but a long-term shift toward a drier climate known as “aridification.” Researchers say the region has effectively been in a 32-year drought, but climate patterns suggest the West could remain permanently drier than historical averages.
This shift is affecting the Colorado River Basin, where reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell remain far below historic levels despite occasional wet years. Scientists say warmer temperatures cause more water to evaporate and reduce snowpack that normally feeds the river.
For CRIT, this concept of aridification is important because it changes how water planning is approached. Instead of preparing for drought cycles followed by recovery, water managers may need to plan for a permanently smaller Colorado River supply.
According to KJZZ, lawmakers introduced around 30 groundwater-related bills during the current Arizona legislative session, but most proposals do not directly focus on conservation. Instead, many of the bills address water development, transportation, or regulatory changes.
Arizona groundwater policy has become a growing concern as communities increasingly turn to underground aquifers to supplement shrinking Colorado River supplies. Some lawmakers and water experts argue stronger conservation policies are needed to protect these aquifers for future generations.
For CRIT and other Tribal communities, groundwater policy is significant because it influences regional water demand and long-term water sustainability across Arizona. As Colorado River supplies tighten, groundwater management decisions could shape how the state balances growth with water availability.
According to KJZZ News, environmental groups are warning of serious long-term impacts to the Colorado River system after negotiators missed another deadline to finalize future water management rules. Advocates say declining reservoir levels, ongoing drought, and delayed agreements could increase pressure on ecosystems, agriculture, and water supplies across the Southwest. The warnings highlight growing urgency for coordinated conservation and policy action. For CRIT, these discussions are important because federal decisions about river operations directly influence how tribal water rights are protected and how long-term water stability is maintained.
Source: KJZZ News — https://www.kjzz.org/politics/2026-02-19/environmental-groups-warn-of-dire-impacts-after-colorado-river-negotiators-miss-another-deadline
According to Nevada Public Radio, Colorado River negotiations continue to face challenges as states balance drought impacts, water demand, and competing priorities. Officials involved in the talks say progress has been uneven and that future agreements may require difficult compromises across the basin. Continued uncertainty highlights the complexity of managing the river under changing climate conditions. For CRIT, ongoing interstate negotiations remain important because federal and regional policy decisions directly affect how tribal water rights are recognized and protected.
Source: Nevada Public Radio — https://knpr.org/show/knprs-state-of-nevada/2026-02-20/nevadas-main-water-negotiator-talks-about-the-bumpy-road-ahead-in-the-colorado-river-discussions
According to Newsweek, recent data shows some improvement in Lake Mead water levels following storms and conservation efforts, offering cautious optimism for the Colorado River system. However, experts note that long-term drought conditions still pose significant challenges and continued conservation will remain essential. Reservoir levels remain a key factor in determining water deliveries across the basin. For CRIT, reservoir conditions remain important because federal operational decisions tied to storage levels directly affect how tribal water allocations are managed and protected.
Source: Newsweek — https://www.newsweek.com/lake-mead-water-levels-get-good-news-11557968
According to Arizona Water News, Arizona and its Lower Basin partners say they remain committed to finding common ground on new Colorado River operating rules despite stalled negotiations among the seven basin states. Officials emphasized continued collaboration with federal agencies and neighboring states to stabilize water supplies beyond 2026 as drought conditions persist. The effort reflects ongoing attempts to balance conservation, water demand, and long-term river sustainability. For CRIT, these negotiations remain important because federal and interstate agreements directly influence how tribal water rights are recognized and protected in future Colorado River management decisions.
Source: Arizona Water News — https://www.azwater.gov/news/articles/2026-02-19
According to the Navajo Times, federal officials are moving forward with developing new Colorado River operating guidelines even as state negotiations remain stalled. The Department of the Interior is continuing its environmental review process to prepare for post-2026 river management, highlighting the federal government’s role when states cannot reach consensus. Tribal consultation remains part of that process. For CRIT, federal involvement is significant because Colorado River policies shaped at the federal level directly affect tribal water rights, long-term planning, and regional water security.
Source: Navajo Times — https://navajotimes.com/reznews/federal-officials-move-forward-on-colorado-river-operating-rules-as-state-negotiations-stall/
According to ABC 15 Arizona, tribal nations along the Colorado River are among those with the most at stake as negotiations over future water allocations continue. Tribal leaders emphasize the importance of protecting established water rights while ensuring sustainable solutions to ongoing drought conditions. The article highlights how tribal participation is increasingly central in discussions about the river’s future. For CRIT, these conversations are especially important because tribal sovereignty and water rights remain critical factors in how Colorado River resources are managed across the basin. (more…)
The annual CRIT Royalty Pageants returned to Manataba Park on Oct. 2 and 3 for two evenings of competition and celebration. Contestants shared their talents, modeled modern and traditional dress, and introduced themselves to the audience as they competed to represent the Colorado River Indian Tribes for the coming year.
Hosted by the CRIT Royalty Board, this year’s pageants carried the theme “First in Time, First in Right.” The pageant pamphlet connected the theme to the Colorado River through a story of Mastamho, bringing the river and its people into the celebration.
In the story, Mastamho placed a staff into the ground and drew it out to bring forth water. He directed the water north, east, and west, stopping it each time. When he placed the staff into the ground once more and drew it out, he stepped aside and watched the water flow south, making the river. With the people standing behind him, he stretched out his arms to hold them back. The passage closed with the words “First in Time, First in Right.”
Both evenings opened with a welcome from CRIT Royalty Board President Valerie Welsh-Tahbo, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Eva Charles and Brandy Eddy. Co-emcee JaMahke Welsh kept the audience entertained as the program moved through introductions, interviews, and performances. Entertainment by the Lil Macavs and Quechan Xuumar Akuuts added to the celebration.
Friday’s Little Miss pageant featured six contestants: Kathleen Viola Stone, Amelia Jean Gonzales, Alura Rose Walrod, Zyarah Devika Sharp, Calliope Sage Ara Scott, and Allison Rene Gonzales. Modern dress modeling and interviews gave the audience an opportunity to get to know the contestants, while the talent showcase and traditional dress modeling gave each girl another moment in the spotlight.
Outgoing Little Miss CRIT Loraina Stone gave her farewell presentation before the evening concluded with the coronation. Alura Rose Walrod, 10, was crowned Little Miss CRIT for 2026–2027. She is the daughter of Amanda and Mario Walrod and is Hopi and Mayan. Joining Alura were first attendant Calliope Sage Ara Scott and second attendant Zyarah Devika Sharp.
The celebration continued Saturday with the Jr. Miss and Miss CRIT pageants. Arianna Kaye Carmona, Jessica Lynn Scott, and Leina Rene Carmona competed for Jr. Miss, while Zoey Moon Sharp and Veronica Webb competed for Miss. Each contestant participated in modern dress modeling and interviews, a talent showcase, and traditional dress modeling.
Saturday also provided an opportunity to recognize outgoing Jr. Miss CRIT Winter Harper and Miss CRIT Brenda Duckey. Their farewell presentations marked the close of their time as royalty as the evening moved toward the crowning of the next representatives. (more…)
The University of Arizona put the Colorado River Indian Tribes and their culture in the spotlight Sept. 5, honoring CRIT during the Wildcats’ Native American Heritage football game against Northern Arizona University.
The recognition went well beyond the game, with members of CRIT’s Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi and Navajo communities participating in cultural activities throughout the day.
Festivities began at Bear Down Field, where representatives of CRIT’s tribes shared cultural performances with Wildcat fans and visitors during the Bear Down Bash.
CRIT representatives also participated in the Wildcat Walk, Arizona Football’s traditional pregame arrival. CRIT royalty and tribal leadership were invited to greet the Wildcats’ head coach as part of a gift exchange before the team entered the stadium. (more…)
From his start as a dishwasher to his role as a head chef at Steak 44 in Phoenix, CRIT Tribal Member Quincy Stone has built a culinary career that recently took him to Canton, Ohio. There, he helped cater a banquet honoring former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald during his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
His aunt, Rachel Martinez, contacted CRIT Media because she wanted his hard work and accomplishment to be recognized. “It’s not every day one of our Tribal Members is invited to such an event,” Martinez said. “He doesn’t feel it’s a big deal, but I do, and I am very proud of him.”
Stone recently learned that he will travel to Beverly Hills next month to assist with additional catering events. Details about the events have not yet been announced.
Congratulations to Quincy on this accomplishment. The Colorado River Indian Tribes wishes him continued success as he represents the CRIT community and continues building his culinary career. Congratulations, Quincy on all your success and you always have the support from your home, the Colorado River Indian Tribes.
Location: Desert Sun Development #86 (100 Homes) Parker Arizona, 85344
Incident: Shooting
******Update******
At this time there is no more threat to the community. Taylor Goodman is now in custody at the CRIT Men’s Detention Facility. I would like to personally thank the community for sharing the post and spreading this information for people to see and help find this person. Thank you.
Cody Paddock, Chief of Police
Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Department
Date: September 20, 2026
Location: Desert Sun Development #86 (100 Homes) Parker Arizona, 85344
Incident: Shooting
At approximately 2:52 a.m. in the morning, CRIT Dispatch received 911 calls in reference to a possible break-in at #86 Desert Sun Development. As officers arrived on scene, they found an unresponsive male subject lying at the front doorway of the residence with a single gunshot wound.
Medical and Fire were called and responded to assist the subject with life saving measures. The male subject was pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel. Bureau of Indian Affairs Investigator and Federal Bureau of Investigations were called and responded to the scene. At this time, it was stated that a male subject fled the scene, unknown direction of travel. This is currently an active investigation.
Person of interest: Taylor Joel Goodman, Native American, Height 5’09” Weight 300 Hair: brown, Eyes: Brown. If seen, do not approach the subject, he is considered armed and dangerous. Call 911 or CRIT Police Department.
If you have any information regarding this investigation, please call the CRIT Police Department at (928) 669-1277 or the TIPPS Hotline at (928) 669-5341
This case is being investigated by the CRIT Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Bureau of Indian Affairs. We will update as soon as more information is available.
Cody Paddock, Chief of Police
Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Department
